CONTENTS
Preface xv
List of Symbols xvii
1 Overview of Structural Dynamics 1
1-1 Fundamental Objective of Structural Dynamics Analysis 1
1-2 Types of Prescribed Loadings 2
1-3 Essential Characteristics of a Dynamic Problem 3
1-4 Methods of Discretization 4
Lumped-Mass Procedure 4
Generalized Displacements 5
The Finite-Element Concept 7
1-5 Formulation of the Equations of Motion 9
Direct Equilibration using dŠAlembertŠs Principle 9
Principle of Virtual Displacements 10
Variational Approach 10
1-6 Organization of the Text 11
PART I SINGLE-DEGREE-OF-FREEDOM SYSTEMS
2 Analysis of Free Vibrations 15
2-1 Components of the Basic Dynamic System 15
2-2 Equation of Motion of the Basic Dynamic System 16
2-3 Influence of Gravitational Forces 17
2-4 Influence of Support Excitation 18
2-5 Analysis of Undamped Free Vibrations 20
2-6 Damped Free Vibrations 25
Critically-Damped Systems 26
Undercritically-Damped Systems 27
Overcritically-Damped Systems 32
Problems 32
v
